U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Laos

United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Laos, 5 June 2002, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d79f23.html [accessed 3 March 2015]

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Laos (Tier 2)

Laos is a source of men, women and children trafficked for labor and sexual exploitation. Lao economic migrants, chiefly to Thailand, may find themselves deceived about pay and conditions of work. Some find themselves in coerced labor or slave-like conditions after their arrival.

The government does not yet fully meet the minimum standards; however, it has made significant efforts to do so, considering serious resource constraints. Laos does not have a law against trafficking. Related laws exist, however enforcement is rare. The government is working to improve protection for victims by collaborating with an international organization on a shelter and repatriation program for trafficked women and children. However, victims are still subjected to incarceration and "re-education" if caught by the police. For prevention, the government collaborated with international organizations to collect data on trafficking in two provinces and laid the foundation for a public education campaign in nine provinces. There has been cooperation with other international organizations working on trafficking and child labor. Borders are poorly monitored and resources are seriously lacking to confront the problem effectively.